An arbitrator awarded Chicago Blackhawks forward Philipp Kurashev a two-year deal worth $2.25 million annually, the club announced Sunday.

Kurashev, whose hearing took place Thursday, was a restricted free agent with arbitration rights.

The Swiss forward of Russian descent collected nine goals and 16 assists over 70 games in 2022-23, his third season with the Blackhawks. His average ice time rose by over four minutes this past campaign, from 12:51 in 2021-22 to 17:25.

Chicago drafted Kurashev, who'll turn 24 around the time the new season begins on Oct. 12, with the 120th overall pick in 2018. He's represented Switzerland eight times on the international stage, taking part in three World Championships and two World Junior Championships.

The Blackhawks still have plenty of cap space even after acquiring Taylor Hall ($6-million cap hit) and Nick Foligno ($4 million) in a trade with the Boston Bruins on June 27 and signing Corey Perry for one season ($4 million) three days later. Unlike Foligno and Perry, Hall is on the books through 2024-25.

Chicago added the veterans after winning the draft lottery and selecting Connor Bedard first overall.

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Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov was awarded a one-year contract worth $3.55 million in arbitration, the team announced Sunday.

Samsonov, 26, played 42 games with the Maple Leafs in 2022-23, posting a .919 save percentage and a 2.33 goals-against average. The Russian had a cap hit of $1.8 million last season after the Washington Capitals didn't tender him a qualifying offer.

The Maple Leafs filed at $2.4 million, while Samsonov was at $4.9 million, according to Friedman. The arbitrator's award is $100,000 less than the middle of the two filings.

Samsonov has played 131 games in the NHL with a career save percentage of .908. He was drafted 22nd overall by the Capitals in 2015 and played three seasons in Washington.

Toronto has goaltenders Matt Murray ($4.6875-million cap hit) and Joseph Woll ($766,667) already on one-way contracts.

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Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson shed light on his possible landing spot.

The 33-year-old confirmed to Adam Johansson from Swedish outlet Expressen that he's spoken with the Carolina Hurricanes, Pittsburgh Penguins, Seattle Kraken, and Toronto Maple Leafs, among other teams.

Karlsson, who's seeking a trade from the San Jose Sharks, has already spoken about his interest in joining a contending team. He tallied a career-high 25 goals and 101 points in 82 games during a resurgent campaign last season. Karlsson also led the Sharks in scoring and captured his third Norris Trophy.

The Hurricanes, Kraken, Maple Leafs, and Penguins have been the primary teams reportedly interested in Karlsson. The Athletic's Rob Rossi reported in July that Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang endorsed Kyle Dubas' pursuit of Karlsson.

"I just want the best chance to get to the best team," Karlsson said, according to TSN's translation of his interview in Swedish.

Complicating a trade is Karlsson's massive $11.5-million cap hit, full no-move clause, and four years remaining on his contract.

Only the Anaheim Ducks and Chicago Blackhawks could bring in Karlsson's full salary without a subsequent move to clear cap space, according to CapFriendly's projections. Of the teams Karlsson confirmed he's spoken with, the Hurricanes have the most room to work with at just $2.5 million.

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The Seattle Kraken signed defenseman Vince Dunn to a four-year contract, the club announced Friday.

It carries an average annual value of $7.35 million, reports Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

Dunn, who was a restricted free agent, had a salary arbitration hearing scheduled for Monday. His previous cap hit was $4 million.

The 26-year-old had a breakout campaign in 2022-23, tallying 14 goals and 64 points in 81 games to rank 10th league-wide among defensemen in both offensive categories. Dunn's previous career high in points was 35, accomplished in 2018-19 with the St. Louis Blues and 2021-22 as a member of the Kraken.

The Mississauga, Ontario-born rearguard led Seattle in assists (50), plus-minus (plus-28), and average ice time (23:40) last season.

Dunn scored one goal and seven points in the postseason and placed second among Kraken skaters in ice time behind his partner Adam Larsson.

Seattle passed on Vladimir Tarasenko to claim Dunn from the Blues in the 2021 expansion draft. He played four seasons for St. Louis after the club drafted him 56th overall in 2015, winning the Stanley Cup as a depth blue-liner in 2019.

Dunn has accrued 53 goals and 201 points in 421 career games.

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With Matt off, it's the return of the Price and Paterson show, featuring Rink Wide: Vancouver co-host, Jeff Paterson! Blake and Jeff tee up a big weekend of local sports, including the Jays vs. Mariners series, the Whitecaps and Lions games as well as recapping the Canadian Women's first match at the World Cup. The guys then touch on Brock Boeser and wonder if he'll ever become the 30 goal scorer like many thought he would one day. The pride of Oliver, B.C., John Shannon, stops by live from his hometown to chat about the B.C. Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2023. John then chimes in on why Derek Clancey may've left the Canucks for the Maple Leafs, the Erik Karlsson trade rumours and more. The show wraps up with a fresh edition of Sekeres vs. Price debating if the Canucks need to sign another goaltender or not. Presented by Applewood Auto Group.

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